Contact:Shari Ireton
University of Washington School of Law
206.685.9002

2010-01-29

Law Student's Native Art Installed in UW's Gates Hall

Peter Boome with his piece Flight of Eagles

An exhibit of art by University of Washington law student Peter Boome featuring a series of hand pulled screen prints in the Pacific Coastal Salish style has been installed in William H. Gates Hall, home to the UW School of Law.

Boome is a member of the Upper Skagit tribe who said growing up on a reservation inspired him to go to law school.

"I witnessed the systematic mistreatment of so many people," Boome said, adding that he hopes to use his law degree to work with Native American tribes on environmental law issues.

Boome said becoming an artist was a "lifelong dream," and his artistic interests in addition to the serigraphs include wood working, metal and glass sculpture, leather, and pottery. He and his wife own a studio in University Place, near Tacoma.

As to how Boome, a father of four and full-time second-year law student, finds time for art and law school, he said, "I have to have one to have the other. I sketch to take a break from studying and I'll read my law books to take a break from my art."